At $6,113/yr net price, Waubonsee Community College graduates earn $44,788/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $10,788/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $6,113 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $24,452 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $44,788/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$10,788/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 41.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $7,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $1,614/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $4,804/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,354/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,867/yr |
| $110,001+ | $10,425/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $61,303 | $9,000 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $37,208 | |
| Biological and Physical Sciences. | Associate | $33,410 | $6,240 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $24,112 | $7,000 |
The Risk Factor
41.0% of students at Waubonsee Community College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Waubonsee Community College gives you a low-cost, low-debt path with returns that depend heavily on what you study. With a net price near $6,000 a year and median debt of $7,000, you can finish without a loan burden that follows you for a decade. That low downside is the core of the financial case here.
The nursing associate degree is the clear winner. It pays roughly $61,000 ten years out, and even with $9,000 in debt, that gap over every other program makes it the reason to enroll. If you can get into and finish the nursing track, the math works strongly in your favor.
Everything else is a steep drop. Health and medical administrative services lands around $37,000, biological and physical sciences near $33,000, and the general liberal arts and humanities associate sits at about $24,000. That last one carries the same $7,000 debt as many peers but returns the least, so treating it as a final credential is a weak bet. It only makes sense as a transfer step toward a four-year degree.
The main risk is the 41% graduation rate. More than half of students don't finish, and an unfinished degree still costs you time and tuition without the earnings payoff. Your return here is real only if you complete a program that pays.
Net price scales hard with income. Under $30k, you pay about $1,600 a year. over $110k, closer to $10,400. For lower-income families the price is close to free, making the low-earning majors far less risky. For higher-income families paying the top tier, a general studies degree is hard to justify on its own.
This school fits you if you enroll in nursing or plan to transfer. Look elsewhere if you want a terminal liberal arts associate and expect it to pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Waubonsee Community College worth the cost?
For nursing students, yes - graduates earn $61,303 after 10 years against just $6,113 annual tuition. For liberal arts students earning $24,112 after graduation, the return is weaker but debt risk remains low at $7,000 median.
What programs at Waubonsee Community College have the best ROI?
Nursing programs offer the strongest return with $61,303 average earnings and low debt. Health administration graduates earn $37,208, while liberal arts majors see much lower returns at $24,112 annually.
How much debt do Waubonsee Community College students typically have?
Median debt is only $7,000, significantly lower than four-year colleges. The low annual cost of $6,113 keeps borrowing minimal for most students.
What is the graduation rate at Waubonsee Community College?
The graduation rate is 41%, which is typical for community colleges but means many students don't complete their programs. Students should have clear career goals before enrolling.